The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1887-07-07
THE NEGRO-SCARE IN GREEN
VILE.
An Investigation Shows that the Whole
Trouble was Caused by the Organ
iZation Of Hoover Co-opera-
tive Clubs.
From the GreenriUs Nar$. July !.

and Fountain Inn neigh
borhoodS. have known ofSec-et meetings
being held by the negroes. These meet
ingS were always held late at night and
no questions CT investigation could
elicit information OF what their purpose
was. There was 4 general idea. how
ever. that they We're part OF the Hoover
and rs the people knew
nothing OF it and could learn nothing
from the members. they naturally con-
cluded that some mischief was being
considered or planned. Then rumors
began TO tlv thicker and thicker, the
white woman became nervous ard eN-
cited and the men were uneasy under 4
vague feeling that there was danger
which they couldn't see or know. The
rumorS continued to grow and take more
horrible shapes until some people had
settled upon the belief that the negroes
We're arranging L plot 70 burn all the
white peoples houses on the same
night, shoot the men as they ran out.
rob and plumber promiScuouSly. kill the
old women and children. and do other
and more dreaded harm. Only 4 very
few accepted such stuff rs that. but cool
er heads saw danger OF decentralization
and disorders in the continued secret
midnight meetings OF ignorant people
under unknown guidance for unknown
purposes: and the further danger OF
trouble from the excited feeling among
the Young white men. Some farmers
complained OF their hired hands and
renters working badly and becoming
Indifferent about their crops.
On "Wednesday a meeting OF white
people vas held at Fairriew. DR.. D. r.
Anderson. who is universally trusted
and respected and i wealthy and con-
$ervative man, presiding. An organi-
cation was effected and L squad OF armed
men was told to so after the man
known 10 be the leader OF the Hoover
Club Of that section. This man readily
consented to 90 with the party, although
he had no choice in il. and after some
talking and argument. b"t without the
use OF violence. told where his club list
and papers weie and they were found
and seized.
Sixteen men whose names were found
on the club list were sent for. found and
carried TO Fairview. They were Ques-
toned separately regarding their know
ledge OF ;he organization and its leader
ship and purposes. and ;hei7 answers
taken in wri;inE by Prof. J. W. hen1e-
dv. principal OF tie Fairview school.
Some answered reluctantly others read
ily told what they kl:cW. By piecing
the stories together. and re-examinarlon>
and croSS-eXanlinat;onS. the bottom OF
the whole thing was reached, and mighty
little there is in it.
1t was found that in May one
Sherman McCray. / voung black man
from the Laurel Greek section. went
through the Fai7virw country talking 10
the colorvd people wherever he could
find them alone. in the fields or in the
houses, OF his uew society. He explained
that it would band the working people
together, and that it would reduce meat
and bread 70 wholesale prices Tor its
members. OF course he talked much
OF cooperation, and read the labor cat
echism and the constitution 20 his hear
erS but the Two ideas above stated. and
the fact that there was membership
chiefly impressed the negroes. When
ever he could get five or more 10 agree TO
Join his society he assembled them 81 :.
members house, administered TO them
al oath o. secrecy. and Left them 70
study tie cateci!i>m ALL constitution Us
thew best could. and 70 seek recruits.
All the negroes solem"iy and repeat
edlv asserted AMI stuck 20 it that they
had never heard q word said about any
purpose 20 harm the white people or
their popertE. or anyb1dv else.
The matter was submitted 10 the white
organization and some cf It's members
were appointed 10 speak 20 the colored
men. who mad been kepc outside under
guard. They We're told that the white
people were opposed 10 societies organ
lied By irresponsible men AID holding
secret meetings II midnight and would
not tolerate them: the impossible
ity OF any sooI iron! such an orga!iza-
lion was argued 10 them : and they
We're told 10 90 il peace. remen bering
thai their leaders are known and will
be held responsible :or any mischief
done il the settlement.
The same general programme was
followed in the Hopewe!l AMI Fountain
Inn ne:Shborhooi Yesterday. Squads OF
armed white men started early il the
morning. ana the secretary and his club
list were captured. Then twenty me;I
whose names We're given. or found on
the list, were gathered in. They We're
carrielt 10 Hopewell. mounted. aud kind
" treated, although informed that buSi-
ness was intended. One BY one they
were carried into the Sch0oi-houSe ana
examined BY Squire Thomson. Seven
tv-tive whi:e men sat on the benches
and desks or SQuarted Oh the tioor around
the walls Of tie room. and al We're free
70 suggest or ask questions. Trial jus
rice Goldsmith aud his brother. Dr.. Al
dersoa. Dr.. Bennett, and Indefinite mum
bers OF PeienS and Thoma$oaS and
others OF the best people OF The country
were there. Dr.. League wrote down
the answers.
Allen Dorrcf. the treasurer Of his club.
which was organized by McCraC. May
II. with ,weuIy-one members. all colo
red farmers. said ne had never collected
anv money. and had not yet paid his
own dues oi % cents. He had cakeI! the
oaJn Of secrecy. however. IL said run
ne-s were cut early yesterday morning
giving notice OF ne rail, AMI one hal
reached jack Acercromb;e and Toll hin
10 ..Iooa OFT Tor lis papers.
Sandy Brown. and 4 charter member
OF his lo:ge. said McC7ay had told him
the society wasn't Intended 10 hurt
anvbodv. He took the oath and l,.Ger-
stood :: 70 mean thai he had 10 pay %
cents Tor the :i.s- degree and 81 fo- the
second. the 81 20 be used 20 build a big
store where eli the members could
cra..e and ouy Ct wholesale rates; also
that he would noc work io- les: than :1
3 Gav wh:a the time cacle 70 demand it.
He thought il was the Knights OF Labor.
Lee Harrison. who told very little
early in the day. volunteered 70 return
and make statement. Il: sail the TIL
Le-standiug in the society was that q
member VINO revealed irs secrets would
be arrested and dealt will ~ the higher
powers: lie didn't know what that was
bur had thought !: was the 'NuaiCed
States and thai the punishment would
be death. He SAL! there hal been some
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